How To Patch A Flat Bicycle Tire (Tube)

Don't toss those popped tubes! Patch 'em! A good patch becomes the strongest part of the tube. In fact, you can patch a tube many times and keep right on using it. Knowing how to patch comes in handy, too, when you're on a ride and discover that your spare tube has a hole in it (doh!).

Some cyclists prefer to carry "glueless" patches for on-the-trail repairs. These come without a tube of glue, so applying it and waiting for it to dry are unnecessary. Instead, the patches carry a strong adhesive. To fix a puncture, buff the tube lightly with the sandpaper included in the kit, brush off the dust, peel off its backing and affix the patch. Careful! Don't trap any air beneath it.
Tip: A glueless patch doesn't become a permanent part of the tube the way glued patches do. So glueless ones work best as temporary repairs. It'll get you home, but you may find that the tube slowly leaks air. No problem. Simply replace it with a new tube before your next ride.">

Some cyclists prefer to carry "glueless" patches for on-the-trail repairs. These come without a tube of glue, so applying it and waiting for it to dry are unnecessary. Instead, the patches carry a strong adhesive. To fix a puncture, buff the tube lightly with the sandpaper included in the kit, brush off the dust, peel off its backing and affix the patch. Careful! Don't trap any air beneath it.
Tip: A glueless patch doesn't become a permanent part of the tube the way glued patches do. So glueless ones work best as temporary repairs. It'll get you home, but you may find that the tube slowly leaks air. No problem. Simply replace it with a new tube before your next ride." data-width="125px" data-height="92px" data-thumbnail="/merchant/2405/images/site/maintenance_tubepatch_glueless_s.jpg">